Anna Eraut

UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

About me

Hello and welcome to my page. As you’re here, the likelihood is that you are feeling stuck and feel that your usual ways of coping with life’s ups and downs don’t seem to work anymore.
Sometimes we all feel a bit lost or frustrated; confused or angry; and in some cases devastated and desperate.
This may happen because everyday pressures become more than we can cope with, or we experience unwanted aggravation in our life or go through unexpected loss. Sometimes unresolved issues from our past rear up and press for resolution.
Very often our difficulties are caused by a combination of these and other issues.
The good news is that we humans are a remarkably resilient, adaptive and creative bunch. Often we simply need some help in resolving our problems so we can move in a healthier direction using our own resources.
Psychotherapy/counselling can be a way to open those resources and build solid support mechanisms that enable us to move on.
Me specialties include helping people who are experiencing:
• Chronic or acute stress, anxiety, panic attacks;
• Post-traumatic stress, aftermath of past traumas;
• Undiagnosed somatic aches, pain, discomfort;
• Depression, low mood;
• Mood swings;
• Current traumatising life events, such as loss, abuse;
• Relationship issues, including work relationships, family relationships, intimate relationships;
• Addictions;
• Issues related to self-esteem, self image.

The list above is tentative and perfunctory. You may feel that your specific case is described by several points above, or none. If in doubt please contact me to discuss whether I can help you, or better still, book an assessment session where we can talk about your situation in detail and come up with a plan of how you can start on your road to feeling happier.

My background

I am trilingual, speaking English, Russian and Ukrainian, and I have lived and worked in various parts of the world. I spent the early part of my career as a researcher and editor and have two MA honours degrees in humanities.

I began my career as a counsellor and psychotherapist seven years ago and now have an MSc in Gestalt Psychotherapy and a Clinical Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy, both from the Metanoia Institute in London, the leading centre in the UK for teaching graduate-level psychotherapy courses.

I have been teaching part-time at Metanoia, one of the biggest higher-education institutions in the UK training psychotherapists, and I also run workshops for mental health professionals on various topics, primarily around stress, trauma, and self-regulation.
I have experience of establishing and running a youth charity organisation that promoted peer mentoring, mental health awareness, and drug and alcohol awareness.

How I work: a holistic approach

I believe every one of us has the potential to live a creative, fulfilling life.
In childhood we adjust to our circumstances and develop habits which become our fixed, unconscious patterns. As we grow up these patterns mostly prove helpful but some, especially those resulting from traumatic or difficult experiences, can prove detrimental and can lead us to a position in life where we feel stuck.
These patterns are manifested not only in how we think and experience our emotions but also in our bodily sensations, posture, breathing, movement and the levels and quality of our physical energy. They affect our relationships with other people and with our environment.
Think of someone you know who has low self-esteem. Is this reflected in their voice, posture, movement, the way they relate to other people?
The advantage of a holistic approach is that it goes beyond simply talking through your issues. It embraces your cognitive, physical, emotional and relational reality, and can support you to create sustainable changes in your life on every level.
We would start by looking at where you are now; recognising and confirming your unique experience in a non-judgemental, supportive way. For some, this will also be a time to learn to function better in everyday life through the practice of self-regulation.
When you feel strong enough, and it’s safe, the sessions may involve some experimenting, to forge new patterns to complement your positive habitual ones. We may, for example, choose to use mindfulness, images or breathing techniques, or experiment with physical movement, posture or voice. The work can be a very creative and exciting experience.
Sometimes, however, it is more important for a client just to be heard, accepted and supported, and this is another strength of Gestalt therapy. I always try to meet the client where they are at the moment, whether full of energy or deflated, feeling lonely or angry, enthusiastic or desperate.
Whatever the case, I will be there to help you on your journey to a healthier, more fulfilling life, for as long as you need my support.

What are the sessions about?

The first session is an initial assessment to formulate the issues you would like to work on, and explore possible ways of addressing them in therapy. This is also for you to see if you feel comfortable with me.
Sessions last for 50 minutes and are arranged on a weekly basis for a regular time. To begin with, I offer four sessions which conclude with a review. In the review we have a frank discussion about how the therapy is going for you, and whether or not I am the right psychotherapist for you.
After this we can make a contract for a limited-term or open-ended therapy.
My consulting room at Pimlico is private, comfortable and quiet. You will be treated sensitively, respectfully and in total confidence.

Training and qualification

Professional affiliation:

Contact details

Works with

Individuals, Young People, Couples, Supervisees

Days working at the practices:

Mondays

Disclaimer

Although Therapport Limited, the owner of the practice, is thorough in checking the qualifications, insurance and professional registration of each of our practitioners, the relationship is ultimately between the client and the practitioner themselves. Therapport Limtied provides space for clinicians and is not responsible for the clinical work they provide. Anna Eraut is a UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist, therfore the complaints should be direct to United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy.